This image by Stefano Maccarelli got me wondering-do you think there is a divide between old school artists (think canvas and paintbrush) vs. new school artists (Wacom tablet lovers)? Is it possible to blend old school techniques and methods with new school technologies? Should we blend them? Will this blend increase the value of art?
If these is a divide then I live at the bottom of the valley in the middle. I love the freedom that my wacom and photoshop give me, but they’d mean nothing if it was without the work created by hand first. I strive for an outcome that looks hand-rendered whereas in reality Mr Wacom is probably my most-used tool. Mine is perpetually covered in paint though…!
I don’t think there is a divide though. I think there was recently, but now there are so many artists who mix digital work and hand-rendering so seamlessly that you couldn’t tell how which elements were achieved. And, definitely, I think blending them creates almost a new medium of its own and is almost entirely a good thing. The only real drawback I think is the lack of an ‘original’, or at least an original that looks like the finished piece.
GREAT, great topic of discussion. I’m a 27-yo classically-trained painter (studied how to stretch linen, prime it with rabbit skin glue, mix pigments, etc.) constantly trying to marry my reverence for old skool painting with contemporary subjects and techniques. I tend to revert back to really hand-rendered painting techniques because I love the process of creating a 2D world out of paint. I want my paintings to look like paintings, not photographs or digitally-made work. But that’s just my personal style, how I make my work, and I’m constantly inspired and wowed by the x-media work I see out there.
Um, by the way, this is kick*ss blog. Cheers!
What a great topic. I also am a classically trained painter. After graduating , I worked as a commercial artist/designer and my work was 100% digital for years. It’s only been within the last 2-3 years that I’ve begun to combine the two.
I don’t think blending will increase the value of art, but it is wonderful to have the ability to combine the technology and techniques of both.